Inhibitors of cholesterol esterase

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel haloenol lactones that are effective as active site inhibitors of cholesterol esterase. By inhibiting cholesterol esterase the inhibitors of the present invention provide a new approach to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia through limiting the bioavailability of dietary cholesterol.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 09/291,990 filed Apr.15, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,255, which is a division of U.S. Ser.No. 09/060,250 filed Apr. 15, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,631, whichis based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/041,988 filedApr. 16, 1997, the entire disclosure and contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to inhibitors of cholesterol esterase.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Primary hypercholesterolemia is an established risk factor ofatherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiological dataindicate a positive relationship between serum LDL-cholesterol and CHDwhich is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the UnitedStates. Clinical trials with cholesterol-lowering regimens arebeneficial in the prevention of CHD morbidity and mortality. A varietyof regimens have been used to lower serum cholesterol including dietrestriction, nicotinic acid, bile acid sequestrants, and HMGCoAreductase inhibitors. Reductase inhibitors have become widely used inrecent years. Although generally well tolerated and effective, sideeffects have been reported in up to 4% of participants in controlledtrials, including increases in serum levels of hepatic headache, andsleep disorders. With prolonged use, other side effects have beenreported including depression, sensorimotor neuropathy and eczema.Alternative therapies are needed, especially for populations that cannottolerate reductase inhibitors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide active siteinhibitors of cholesterol esterase for prevention of the hydrolysis ofthe cholesterol ester. By inhibiting cholesterol esterase the inhibitorsof the present invention provide a new approach to the treatment ofhypercholesterolemia through limiting the bioavailability of dietarycholesterol.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a compound comprising:##STR1## wherein: X=Cl, Br or I; and

R₁ is a member of the group consisting of : ##STR2## wherein: n=0 to 8;and

R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, and R₁₀ =H, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl,C₂₋₈ alkenyl, or C₂₋₄ alkynyl.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a compoundcomprising: ##STR3## wherein A=--(CH₂)_(p) -- where p=0 or 1;

Y=H or C₁₋₈ alkyl when Z=Cl, Br, or I and Y=Cl, Br, or I when Z=H orC₁₋₈ alkyl; and

R₁₁ is a member of the group consisting of: ##STR4## wherein n=0 to 8;and

R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, R₁₉, and R₂₀ =H, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, or C₂₋₈ alkynyl.

In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a compoundcomprising: ##STR5## wherein A₁ =--(CH₂)_(q) -- where q=0 or 1; Y₁ =H orC₁₋₈ alkyl when Z₁ =Cl, Br, or I and Y₁ =Cl, Br, or I when Z₁ =H or C₁₋₈alkyl; and

R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃ =H, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, or C₂₋₈alkynyl.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one method for forming compounds of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second method for forming compounds of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third method for forming compounds of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth method for forming compounds of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth method for forming compounds of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the inhibition of cholesterol esterase by acompound of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

The term "C₁₋₈ alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkylmoiety having one ot eight carbon atoms including for example, methyl,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl,dimethyl-propyl, hexyl, and octyl, and cognate terms (such as "C₁₋₈alkoxy") are to be construed accordingly. Similarly, the term "C₁₋₅alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having one tofive carbon atoms (such as methyl or ethyl).

The term "C₁₋₈ cycloalkyl" refers to a saturated alicyclic moiety havingfrom 3 to 8 carbon atoms arranges in a ring and includes, for example,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclooctyl.

The term "C₂₋₈ alkenyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkylmoiety having one to eight carbon atoms and having in addition at leastone double bond of either E or Z stereochemistry where applicable. Thisterm would include, for example, vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1- and 2-butenyl and2-methyl-2-propenyl.

The term "C₂₋₈ alkynyl" refers to a straight or branched chain alkylmoiety having one to eight carbon atoms and having in addition at leastone triple bond. This term would include, for example, propargyl, and 1-and 2-butynyl.

For the purposes of the present invention, including the accompanyingdrawing figures, the possible values for the radicals R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄,R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, R₁₉,R₂₀, R₂₁, R₂₂, and R₂₃ are set forth above in the summary of theinvention section.

For the purposes of the present invention, including the accompanyingdrawing figures, the letter "X" represents any one of the halideradicals Cl, Br and I and "X₂ " represents any one of Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂.

Description

Artherosclerotic heart disease is correlated to serum cholesterollevels. Therefore, a treatment which decreases the amount of dietarycholesterol absorbed from the intestine should also reduce a person'ssusceptibility to atherosclerotic heart disease.

The compounds of the present invention act as cholesterol esterase (CE)inhibitors, that is they prevent CE from hydrolyzing dietary cholesterolesters in the intestines. The compounds of the present invention havestructures which allow them to enter the active site of CE, a serineesterase, and bind covalently to certain residues. This results in apermanent inactivation of the enzyme. The compounds of the presentinvention combine structural features of known good inhibitors of serineesterases and the structural features of a known potent irreversibleinhibitor of CE.

Dietary cholesterol is comprised of free and esterified cholesterol, theratio depending upon the dietary source. In diets rich in meats, up to75% of cholesterol is esterified. Hydrolysis of cholesterol ester in thelumen of the small intestine is catalyzed by cholesterol esterase (CE)which liberates free cholesterol. Free cholesterol mixes withcholesterol contained in bile secretions to form the pool of cholesterolwhich is capable of being absorbed. Due to the low solubility ofcholesterol, solubilization of cholesterol by bile salts into micellesis essential. In addition, transport proteins are required to delivercholesterol from micelles to the enterocytes for absorption. CE providesboth the hydrolytic activity for hydrolysis of cholesterol ester and thetransport function for delivery of cholesterol from micelles toenterocytes. Esterification of cholesterol within the enterocyte alsoutilizes CE which can catalyze the reverse reaction under certainconditions. CE within the enterocyte is immunochemically related topancreatic CE. Given the essential role of CE in hydrolysis ofcholesterol esters and in cholesterol absorption, the presentinvention's active site inhibitors of CE are effective in reducing thebioavailability of dietary cholesterol.

The catalytic mechanism of pancreatic CE resembles that of serineproteases such as trypsin and serine esterases such as acetylcholineesterase. Sequence comparisons indicate that S194, H435 and D79 comprisethe active site triad of serine, histidine and aspartic acid inpancreatic CE, corresponding to S195, H57 and D102 in trypsin. Theimportance of these residues in CE has been demonstrated by sitedirected mutagenesis studies by DiPersio et al. in "Site-directedmutagenesis of an essential histidine residue in pancreatic cholesterolesterase," J. Biol. Chem., 266, 4033-4036 (1991).

The feasibility of using a active site inhibitor to reduce cholesterolabsorption has been reported by Bailey et al in. "Inhibition of dietarycholesterol ester absorption by 3-BCP, a suicide inhibitor ofcholesterol esterase," Biochem. Soc. Trans., 23, 408S (1995).Intragastric administration of a single dose of 3-benzyl-6-chloropyroneto rats simultaneous with feeding of cholesterol ester resulted in a 60%drop in cholesterol absorption, which resulted from a 63% inactivationof lumenal CE activity. In vitro CE was inactivated by this pyrone witha half life of 100 seconds. 3-Benzyl-6-chloropyrone is a prototypehaloenol lactone that has been developed as a suicide inhibitor ofchymotrypsin, although it is not highly selective as described inDaniels et al. in "Haloenol lactones. Potent enzyme-activatedirreversible inhibitors for α-chymotrypsin," J. Biol. Chem., 250,15046-15053 (1983) (Suicide inhibitors, also called suicide substrates,require catalytic activation to a form that irreversibly modifies theenzyme). The compounds of the present invention improve on existinghaloeonol lactone suicide inhibitors by being selective for CE.

One method for synthesizing compounds of the present invention is Scheme1 illustrated in FIG. 1. An appropriately substituted diethylmalonatesodium salt (1A) is heated with a cis-2-chloroacrylate (1B) to give atriester compound (1C). Saponification and decarboxylation of thetriester compound (1C) produces a substituted glutaconic acid (1D) whichis often present as a mixture of the E and Z isomers. Cyclization isthen performed using an acetyl halide cyclization agent (such as acetylchloride or acetyl bromide) to give the 3-substituted 6-halopyrone (1E)and 5-substituted 6-halopyrone (1F). The 3-substituted 6-halopyrone ofthe invention (1E) is then separated form the other isomer and purifiedusing conventional column chromatography techniques. The method ofscheme 1 is similar to a procedure described by Boulanger andKatzenellenbogen in "Structure Activity Study of 6-Substituted2-Pyranones as Inactivators of α-chymotrypsin" in J. Med. Chem., 291159-1163 (1986).

A second method for synthesizing compounds of the present invention isScheme 2 illustrated in FIG. 2. Cyclohexylacetic acid (2A) is reactedwith two moles of lithium diisopropyl amide (2B) followed by alkylationwith a 4-alkyl-1-bromo-3-butyne (2C) to produce an acetylenic acidintermediate (2D) (Where R_(n) =C₁₋₈ alkyl). Halolactone compounds ofthe present invention (2G) are then produced by halolactonization of theacetylenic acid intermediate (2D) with an N-halosuccinimide (NXS; 2E)and potassium bicarbonate (2F). Depending on the desired halidesubstituent (X) in the halolactone, the N-halosuccinimide (2E) can beN-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-iodosuccinimide.

A third method for synthesizing compounds of the present invention isScheme 3 illustrated in FIG. 3. Cyclohexylacetic acid (3A) is reactedwith two moles of lithium diisopropyl amide (3B) followed by alkylationwith a 3-alkyl-1-bromo-2-propyne (3C) to produce an acetylenic acidintermediate (3D) (Where R_(b) =C₁₋₈ alkyl). Halolactone compounds ofthe present invention (3G) are then produced by halolactonization of theacetylenic acid intermediate (3D) with an N-halosuccinimide (NXS; 3E)and potassium bicarbonate (3F). Depending on the desired halidesubstituent (X) in the halolactone, the N-halosuccinimide (3E) can beN-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-iodosuccinimide.

A fourth method for synthesizing compounds of the present invention isScheme 4 illustrated in FIG. 4. 2-(2-Oxopropyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid (4A) is reacted with a halogen X₂ (4B) to produce a halo keto acidintermediate (4C). Depending on the desired halide substituent in thehalolactone (4E), X₂ can be chlorine, bromine or iodine. Pyridiniumtribromide can be used as the source of bromine. Halolactone compoundsof the present invention (4E) are then produced by halolactonization ofthe intermediate (4C) with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (4D).

A fifth method for synthesizing compounds of the present invention isScheme 5 illustrated in FIG. 5. 2-Acetylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (5A)is reacted with a halogen X₂ (5B) to produce a halo keto acidintermediate (5C). Depending on the desired halide substituent in thehalolactone (5E). X₂ can be chlorine, bromine or iodine. Pyridiniumtribromide can be used as the source of bromine. Halolactone compoundsof the present invention (5E) are then produced by halolactonization ofthe intermediate (5C) with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (5D).

The synthesis methods of scheme 2 and scheme 3 stereospecificallyproduce the E isomers 2G and 3G. The Z isomers of these compounds can beproduced using a method similar to that described in Dai andKatzenellenbogen, "Stereoselective Z- and E- Bromo Enol Lactonization ofAlkynoic Acids" in J. Org. Chem., 56, 6893-6896 (1991). For example,treating the silver salt of compound 2D with a halogen X in acetonitrilecan be used to provide the following Z isomer compound of the presentinvention 2H: ##STR6## Similarly, treating the silver salts of compounds3D, 4D, and 5D can be used to produce the following Z isomer compoundsof the present invention 3H, 4H and 5H, respectively: ##STR7##

EXAMPLE 1

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, wherein X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR8## and acetyl chloride was used asa cyclization agent. NMR analysis of this compound provided thefollowing results: H'NMR (CDCl₃): 7.02 (d, 1H), 6.16 (d, 1H). 2.59 (m,1H). 1.90-1.14 (m, 10H).

EXAMPLE 2

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR9## and acetyl chloride was used asa cyclization agent. NMR analysis of this compound provided thefollowing results: H'NMR (CDCl₃): 7.05 (d, 1H), 6.16 (d, 1H), 2.45 (d,2H), 1.80-0.81 (m, 11H).

EXAMPLE 3

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR10## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent. NMR analysis of this compound provided thefollowing results: H'NMR (CDCl₃): 7.02 (d, 1H), 6.11 (d, 1H), 2.39 (t,2H), 1.72-0.85 (m, 13H).

EXAMPLE 4

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR11## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent. NMR analysis of this compound provided thefollowing results: H'NMR (CDCl₃): 7.05 (d, 1H), 6.15 (d, 1H), 2.40 (t,2H), 1.71-0.80 (m, 15H).

EXAMPLE 5

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, wherein X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR12## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 6

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR13## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 7

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR14## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent. NMR analysis of this compound provided thefollowing results: H'NMR (CDCl₃): 7.09 (d, 1H), 6.16 (d, 1H), 2.95(pent, 1H), 2.00-1.46 (m8H).

EXAMPLE 8

A 3-substituted 6-chloropyrone of the invention was prepared accordingto Scheme 1, WHEREIN X=Cl, R₁ = ##STR15## and acetyl chloride was usedas a cyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 9

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 2,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₆ H₁₁, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 10

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 2,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₇ H₁₃, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 11

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 2,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₈ H₁₅, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 12

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 3,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₆ H₁₁, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 13

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 3,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₇ H₁₃, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

EXAMPLE 14

A compound of the present invention is prepared according to Scheme 3,wherein X=Br, R₁ =CH₈ H₁₅, and n-bromosuccinimide is used as acyclization agent.

Kinet c inhibition studies of the compounds of Examples 1, 2, 3 and 4revealed that all four of the compounds are potent inhibitors of CE.Representative data is shown in FIG. 6 for inhibition of CE by3-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-6-chloropyrone, the compound of Example 3. Thedata were analyzed by Dixon plots. As shown in FIG. 6, the plot of 1/V v[I] at two different fixed concentrations of the substratep-nitrophenylbutyrate intersect above the x-axis, indicative ofcompetitive inhibition. The calculated K_(i) =30 ηM. However, a value of30 ηM corresponds to one half of the concentration of CE used in thisassay, suggesting that the actual K_(i) <<30 ηM.

In inhibition studies with high affinity inhibitors under conditionswhere the concentration of enzyme used in the assay exceeds theconcentration of the inhibitor, the K_(i) obtained is an apparent K_(i)corresponding to [E]/2. Therefore, clearly, the compounds of the presentinvention are potent inhibitors of CE.

The compounds of the present invention are also highly selective for CE,unlike 3-substituted 6-chloropyrones such as 3-benzyl-6-chloropyronewhere the 3-substituent includes an aromatic ring. For example, thecompound of Example 3 has been found to inhibit chymotrypsin with K_(i)=50 μM compared to K_(i) <<30 ηM for inhibition of CE. Thus, thecompounds of the present invention which have a saturated ring as partof the 3-substituent provide tremendous selectively when compared tocompounds where the 3-substituent includes an aromatic ring.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound comprising: ##STR16## wherein A₁=--(CH₂)_(q) -- where q=0 or 1;Y₁ =H or C₁₋₈ alkyl when Z₁ =Cl, Br, or Iand Y₁ =Cl, Br, or I when Z₁ =H or C₁₋₈ alkyl; and R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃ =H,C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, or C₂₋₈ alkynyl.
 2. Thecompound of claim 1, where q=0.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein Y₁=H or C₁₋₈ alkyl and Z₁ =Cl, Br or I.
 4. The compound of claim 2,wherein Y₁ =Cl, Br or I and Z₁ =H or C₁₋₈ alkyl.
 5. The compound ofclaim 1 wherein q=1.
 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein Y₁ =H or C₁₋₈alkyl and Z₁ =Cl, Br or I.
 7. The compound of claim 5, wherein Y₁ =Cl,Br or I and Z₁ =H or C₁₋₈ alkyl.